We’ve come a long way from ancient times when the cake was thrown at the couple like rose petals or bubbles are today. What a relief to hoteliers.

Through the years, the tradition of the wedding cake has changed from the simple (flour, salt, and water) to the extravagant, beautiful confections we have today (rose-infused, blown-sugar baubles anyone?). It seems there are no limits to our taste for unusual shapes, sizes, flavors, and decorating.

At the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, I met a lovely lady, Sue Davies, who is the hotel’s wedding specialist. She introduced me to Stephen Smith, executive pastry chef, and David Schwab, pastry chef. They shared with me some of their incredible cakes.

The cake is included in some of the wedding packages. Sue begins the process with the couple showing them pictures of cakes done in the past. If the cake design starts to get intricate and elaborate, Smith is called in to finalize the creation. “The cake is a team effort with the pastry chef and the decorator,” says Smith.

If the cake is not included in the package, it is sold by the person—not by the piece. They ensure the cake will always be sufficient for the number of people.

Smith says “a trend in wedding cakes is that the groom’s cake is displayed with the main cake to make a grand presentation.”

Opryland Hotel has a tasting every two months called the “Showcase,” featuring a display of six different cakes. In addition to tasting cakes, a vendor from each category is invited to participate. This is a nice service for the client saving them time and frustration. The hotel also offers the usual Viennese table, and a chocolate fountain elaborately decorated with a pineapple fruit tree and variety of candies.

The team will do whatever it takes to satisfy the customer. Their goal is to live up to the theme of their new package: “unforgettable.”

Packy Boukis is a national award-winning wedding and event consultant based in Cleveland. Her “wired” wedding advice is featured in several recent book releases. Email: awPacky@aol.com